Week 42 - Wednesday

Moate residents are being invited to a public meeting to address growing concerns over antisocial behaviour, intimidation and vandalism, with proposals for a new community safety network. Westmeath footballer Ronan Wallace has made history by winning his first PwC Football All-Star award, following a standout season that helped the county secure the Delaney Cup. Westmeath County Council has issued almost four times as many fines at local lakeshores this summer, increasing from 17 to 62, as authorities clamp down on illegal camping, parking offences and antisocial behaviour.

Mullingar boxer John Donoghue has claimed his second World Under-19 Boxing Championship title, while his brother Jason Donoghue and clubmate Louise Joyce secured bronze medals. Alicia Ennis and Layla Ayres also brought home European Under-15 bronze medals for St. Brigid's Boxing Club. Calls for a new prison in the Midlands are gaining support among local councillors, amid concerns over rising anti-social behaviour, prison overcrowding and the challenges facing Gardaí A major Traveller mental health conference in Tullamore is highlighting the disproportionately high suicide rate within the Traveller community and calling for more accessible, culturally appropriate mental health services.

Ballinahown in Co. Westmeath has been crowned Ireland's Tidiest Town for 2026, also winning the Tidiest Village award, while Abbeyleix in Co. Laois was named Ireland's Tidiest Small Town.

A Portlaoise woman living with PCOS is raising concerns about women's healthcare after spending days in hospital with severe pain, claiming her requests to see a gynaecologist have gone unanswered. A newly qualified nurse from Rosemount, Co. Westmeath, says she feels let down by the HSE after promised employment opportunities were put on hold, leaving graduates uncertain about their futures despite staff shortages in hospitals. The Government is facing criticism over a controversial consent awareness video encouraging grandparents to seek permission before hugging their grandchildren, with the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre removing the advertisement following widespread backlash.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has issued a formal State apology to the family of murdered Portlaoise Prison officer Brian Stack, acknowledging serious shortcomings in Garda investigations into his killing more than 40 years ago. Storm Austen is set to bring heavy rain and strong winds across Ireland, with Met Éireann issuing weather warnings and cautioning about flooding, transport disruption and dangerous travel conditions. New figures reveal Ireland lost more than 13% of its available wind and solar electricity during the first nine months of 2026, enough to power almost half a million homes, prompting calls for greater investment in battery storage.